Genoa High School senior is state Americanism winner

Apr. 25, 2013

Clay Parlette of Genoa, one of 18 students in Ohio with the highest scores in the state on the Americanism test administered by the American Legion, poses at the Gettysburg battlefield site. / Submitted photo

GENOA — How many state representatives does Ohio have in the U.S. Congress?

Answer: 16.

Who is the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court? Answer: Maureen O’Connor.

Who is Ohio’s lieutenant governor? Answer: Mary Taylor.

When Clay Parlette was studying for the Americanism test the American Legion administers to high school students, he focused on learning what he considered to be lesser-known government facts such as these. The test covers questions about state and federal government.

The strategy paid off for Parlette, a senior at Genoa High School. He received the highest score — 92 percent — on the test in Ottawa County and one of the 18 highest scores in the state.

As a state winner, Parlette won a trip sponsored by the Ohio American Legion to Gettysburg, Pa., site of the Civil War battle, and to Washington, D.C. The trip took place in early March and included the other 17 students who had the highest scores in the state.

Parlette joined other high school students who scored highest in Ottawa County schools on the test and shared stories of his trip Monday at the Genoa American Legion Post 324.

“This test is not easy,” said Ron Distel of the American Legion. “This Americanism test is really important. We’re really proud of anyone who takes it.”

Parlette said he learned about Washington, D.C., landmarks and memorials and Ohio connections to the District of Columbia. He also became good friends with the other students on the trip.

“It’s really made a difference in my life,” he said. “It’s been an awesome year for me because of these programs.”

The trip started with a stop at Gettysburg, where the group toured the battlefield.

In Washington, the group presented a wreath to the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and met with the guards afterward. They also toured the war and presidential monuments, including the World War II memorial, Korean War memorial and the Jefferson and Lincoln monuments.

They also visited the National Cathedral and toured the White House.

“It’s just kind of cool to revel in the White House atmosphere,” he said. “It was a great experience.”